Not afraid to wake up at 4:30am to get started on my side projects (like this blog).

However, in the years I’ve been running this blog, speaking with readers like you and working with students in my courses, I’ve learned that 4:30am isn’t for everyone. Not like that took a rocket scientist to figure out.

Some of us are just wired differently. So the time of day that’s best for me to work on my side hustle, may not be as great for you.

On the other hand, many people simply lack proper motivation—and therefore come up with excuses for why they don’t have time instead of being a force of change that has the power to create the time.

…

That’s why I’m doing a little experiment…

I want to know, what time of day do you work on your side project?

Over on Twitter, the consensus looks like evenings and nights after work…

Like Michael, one of my course students who prefers working on his blog after work during the evenings—why? He’s not a morning person. Outside of the hours he spends at his full-time gig, the evenings are when he works best, so he embraces that.

Paula gets her side hustle time in during the mornings before work.

And Ian manages to (somehow) squeeze in time for his side hustle in the mornings, during lunch AND evenings after work. What!

I’ve heard back from dozens of readers, but I need more data for this experiment.

Hi I'm Ryan Robinson

Full-time blogger, podcaster and side project aficionado. Join me here, on ryrob.com to learn how to start a blog, make money blogging and grow a profitable side business. I also write for publications like Fast Company, Forbes, Entrepreneur, Inc, Business Insider and more. Let’s chat on Twitter about business and side projects.

Thanks for sharing, Kyle! I’d have to agree with you.. I’m in the same boat with being burnt out and frazzled by the end of a full work day. Giving myself the best time of my day to work on side projects was a major game-changer for me. Mind if I ask how you stumbled upon my blog? 🙂

Great post! I find that become more efficient with your time is a fun game.

I typically try to wake up an hour or so before work to crush it on my side hustles. I’m also a big fan of working on a side hustle at work. For most jobs, you won’t be busy 100% of the time. So using down time during those periods can really add up over the course of a year.

I also try to spend time at the gym thinking about new ideas (i.e. blog posts, online course ideas, etc.) I think it’s an effective use of the time while you’re on the treadmill!

I’m just beginning to work on my side hustle and, consistent with my discipline and focus around passing the CPA and CFP exams while working full-time with two kids and a working spouse, I’m considering applying the same technique: 2 hours before work Mon – Thurs, brain rest Fri, 3-4 hours each Sat/Sun. However, I want to ensure my mind is positioned for optimal performance during the work day and am wondering if anyone has any experience/opinions on this. I read about entrepreneurship like it’s going out of style and have noticed some of the greats (i.e. Mark Zuckerberg) make very few if any decisions in the morning (Deciding what to wear) to preserve their mind for more important decisions to come later in the day (The next FB acquisition). Curious what your/anyone’s thoughts are on this. Great post, thanks Ryan.

I had to get more intentional with my schedule and literally mapping out every single thing in my day. I have to make them as appts with myself so I stay on track even when I lack the motivation. I work this in the pockets of my time so sometimes it’s the morning and sometimes in between work meetings, in the car while running errands, and a lot in the evening if I didn’t get much done in the evenings after dinner 7-9 pm. I love blocking out morning hours after my workouts during the weekend. In typically relaxed and in a good head space then which is good for network marketing. But being specific with what I’m doing during those 15/20/30 min increments is what is changing my business into more income producing activities vs. busy work.